The Veteran's service-connected painful scars, left thumb, posterior trunk (back), and neck were granted a 20 percent rating from February 1, 2012, to February 16, 2019. From February 17, 2019, the Veteran was denied a higher rating for these conditions. The Veteran's neck scar with characteristic of disfigurement received a 10 percent initial rating from February 1, 2012, to February 16, 2019 and was denied a higher rating thereafter.
The deciding factor: The Veteran’s service-connected painful scars were found to meet the criteria for a 30 percent evaluation based on multiple painful or unstable scars.
- Claimed conditions
- Painful scars, Neck scar with characteristic of disfigurement
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 30%
- Decision date
- October 29, 2019
- Citation
- 19181353
What this means for you
A grant means the Board agreed the veteran was entitled to the benefit. Decisions like this show the kind of evidence and arguments that tend to succeed for claims like it.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Partly granted
The Board granted separate ratings for the Veteran's left knee pain and limited flexion, as well as earlier effective dates for service connection of disfiguring and painful scars. The decision also denied a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 5, 2024.
- Partly granted
The Veteran was granted a 30 percent rating for five painful scars and a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from November 25, 2020. Other claims were denied.
- Partly granted
The Board denied increased ratings for several conditions, granted a 10 percent rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy and an effective date of August 10, 2023, for the left elbow impairment of supination and pronation.
- Granted
The Board granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, effective from the date of the February 2025 rating decision.
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